Effect of different air settings over fire-induced condition in a stairwell

Abstract

Purpose This work aims to report the effect of different inlet air velocity settings, and the position of the inlet areas under fire-induced conditions in stairwells. Design/methodology/approach The results are evaluated both experimentally and numerically. In sequence, the study also describes the results of three tests under different ventilation conditions, which were performed by simulating a fire of 0.9 m diameter in a stairwell access door. Detailed transient measurements of air temperature in the walls, air velocity settings at the ventilation outlet, smoke temperature through the fans and pressure through the exhaust fans were recorded for the study. Findings These data could be used as benchmark for future numerical validation studies. Based on computational fluid dynamics, the tests were performed using fire dynamics simulator codes, to compare the results of tests and simulations. Originality/value The numerical study was performed in confined floors close to the test areas of a typical stairwell, with different vents and a source of fire. The results show that the lack of symmetry in the air vents settings has greater influence on the plume than the total area of the air inlet.